The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has released an updated damage report following a double whammy of tornadoes that struck the state Friday and Saturday.
According to MEMA, 18 tornadoes have now been confirmed by the National Weather Service. That number is up one from Tuesday’s report and five from Monday’s report. When working to identify tornado paths and confirm the final count, it can often take several days due to complications from crossing paths and road accessibility issues.
MEMA team members remain in the field in 24 counties, validating damage. So far, damage has been reported at 831 homes, 37 businesses, and 20 farms. Of the homes damaged, 131 were destroyed and 166 received major damage. 69 roads have also been reported as damaged, with Prentiss County having the most at 44.
“These preliminary numbers are expected to fluctuate as validations and assessments continue,” a press release from MEMA noted.
The counties reporting damage are Calhoun, Carroll, Chickasaw, Covington, Forrest, George, Grenada, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Itawamba, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Lee, Leflore, Marion, Montgomery, Pike, Prentiss, Sharkey, Smith, Sunflower, Tishomingo, and Walthall.
The severe weather did not go without loss of life as seven people died and nearly 30 were injured.
For those who want to help their neighbors in need, a guide on how to do so can be found here.
